ESLM/00759/2023

HISTORY OF LAND ADMINISTRATION

land administration is a multidisplinary field that involves the management, organization, and
regulations of land and property-related information.It encompases various activties that relate
to land tenure ,land planning , land registration and candastral systems. The primary goal of land
administration is to maintain accurate and up to date records of land rights, ownership and use ,
contributing to sustainable land manangement and development.Here is the history of land in
various countries;
HISTORY OF LAND ADMINISTRATION IN SWEDEN
The history of land administration in sweden reflects the country's evolution from a
predominantly agrarian society to a modern welfare state. here is a brief history of sweden;
MEDIEVAL PERIOD
During this period, land owneship in sweden was concentrated in the hands of aristocracy and
the church ,local governance was organised around decentralised regions known as ''landscaps ''
each with its own laws and adminisrations.
16th century-Gustav Vasa and Land Reforms
King Gustav Vasa in the 16th century, implemented land reform.The crown consficated church
lands, srengthening loyal authority and centralizing landownership.The process of redistributing
land aimed to consolidate power and increase revenue.
17th and 18th centuries- land redistribution
Sweden experienced a period of military expansion and teretorial gain during the 17th century.
The influenced land administration, as the crown sort to reward the military service with land
grants. Land redistribution continued, and the nobility retained significant landownrship, often
in the form of large estates.
19th century- continued Agrarian reforms
The 19th century brought about significant change with agrarian reforms.The reforms aimed to
break large estates and give land to tenant farmers, promoting a more equitable distribution of
land. The process of registration and mapping became more systematic during this period.
20th century-continued reforms and modernization
The early 20th century saw further reforms addressing issues of land tenure and rural
development. The focus was on impoving small-scale farmer. The development of land
candastral and registration continued, enhancing the efficiency of land registration.
post-worldwar II -social welfare policies
In the post-worldwar II era, Sweden undewent extensive social and economical reforms. The
emphasis on social welfare influenced land administration policies, with a focus of balancing
rural and urban development.Planning regulations and zoning laws were implemented to guide
the land use.
late 20th century-environmental consideration
In the late decades of the 20th century, environmental consideration become increasingly
important in land administration.Sweden implemented policies to address environmental
sustainability and conservation.
In the recent years, there have been a growing emphasis on community engagement and
inclisivity in land administration.Decision making processes related to land use involves local
communities to ensure their needs are considered.
HISTORY OF LAND ADMINISTRATION IN CANADA
The history of land administration in Canada is closely tied to colonization and development of
the country. Here is an overview of the development of land administration in Canada;
pre-European contract
Prior to Europian contract, indegenius people in Canada had a well esterblished system of land
use and management. These systems were diverse and often included communal land tenure
practices, with stewardship based on cultural and spiritual connections to the land.
colonial period
The European colonies powers, primarily France and Britain, esterblished colonies in what now
Canada . Each colony had its own land administration systems.The French introduced the
seigneurial system in Quebec, characterised by long, narrow land divisions along waterways. The
British on the other hand implemented systems like township survey system.
land grants and settlement
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the British crown used land grants to encourage settlement. The
Dominion Land Act of 1872 further promoted western expansion by providing settlers with a
quarter section of land for a small fee, provided they implove the land.
railway development
The consruction of railways in the 19th century played a significant role in land
administration.The government provided vasts of land for the railway companies to encourage
infrustructure development.
Doninion Land Act [1872]
The Dominion Land Act of 1872 standardized the process of redistributing land in west of
Canada.The system included the use of meredian and baseline survey, resulting in a grid partern
of township and sections.
homesteading and Agricultural Expansion
Homesteading and grants policies aimed to encourage agricultural settlement, contributing to
expansion of farming communities.However these policies also had significant impacts on
indigenious people and their traditional lands.
20th century- modernization and policies
In the 20th century land adminisration continued to evolve.The focus shifted to issues of land use
planning, environmental conservation and resources management.Indegenous land rights and
claims become prominent issue, lesding to legal and policy change recognising indegenous land
tenure and rights .
modern land adminisration systems
Today, land administration in Canada involves a combination of federal, provincial and territorial
authorities.The cadastral system, based on surveys and land registration is well
esterblished.Indegenous land claims and rights has played a crucial role in recognising and
affirming indegenous land rights and tenure.
In recent years , technology has played an increasing role in land administration .Geographic
Information Systems [GIS] ,digital mapping and online platforms enhance the efficiency and
accessibilty of land-related information.
HISTORY OF LAND ADMINISTRATION IN CHINA
The history of land administration in China is as rich and complex as the country's long and
storied past. It has undergone various changes and developments over the centuries, shaped by
political, economic, and social factors. Here's a brief overview:
Imperial China (Pre-1911):
Feudal System. Land ownership during imperial times was often tied to the feudal system,
where land was distributed among nobility, officials, and peasants.Land Registers.The imperial
government maintained land registers to track ownership and taxation.
Land Reforms in the 20th Century:
End of Feudalism (1911-1949).The fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 marked the end of feudal
rule in China. However, the subsequent period was marked by political instability and
warlordism.Land Redistribution.The Chinese Communist Party, after winning the civil war in
1949, implemented land reforms, redistributing land from landlords to peasants as part of their
agrarian reform policies.
Collectivization and Communes (1950s-1970s):
Collectivization.In the 1950s, China underwent a process of collectivization, where individual
land ownership was replaced by collective ownership through People's Communes.Great Leap
Forward. This period also saw ambitious but disastrous economic policies, such as the Great
Leap Forward (1958-1961), which aimed to rapidly transform China into a socialist society.
Post-Mao Era (1978 Onward):
Deng Xiaoping's Reforms. After Mao Zedong's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping initiated economic
reforms, including the Household Responsibility System in the late 1970s.Household
Responsibility System.Under this system, farmers were given more control over their land,
allowing them to contract and manage their plots.
Modern Land Administration (1980s Onward):
Land Use Rights. China introduced the concept of "land use rights" in the 1980s, granting
individuals and entities the right to use land for specific purposes without outright
ownership.Urbanization. With rapid economic development, urbanization increased, leading to
more complex land administration issues, including land requisition and compensation for
development projects.
Land Reforms in the 21st Century:
Continued Reforms. China has continued to implement land reforms, addressing issues such as
rural land rights, agricultural modernization, and the integration of rural and urban land markets.

HISTORY OF LAND ADMINISTRATION IN FRANCE

France has a long and intricate history of land administration, reflecting the evolution of its
political and social structures. Here's a concise overview:
Feudal System (Medieval Period):
Feudalism. In medieval France, the feudal system dominated land administration. Land was
granted by the king to nobles (lords) in exchange for loyalty and military service. These nobles,
in turn, granted land to vassals.
Revolutionary Period (Late 18th Century):
Abolition of Feudalism.The French Revolution (1789-1799) brought about radical changes,
including the abolition of feudalism. The National Assembly confiscated church and noble lands,
redistributing them to peasants.
Napoleonic Code (Early 19th Century):
Land Rights Codified. The Napoleonic Code, established under Napoleon Bonaparte in the early
19th century, codified land rights. It emphasized private property and provided a legal
framework for land transactions.
Post-Napoleonic Era (1815 Onward):
Land Ownership Stability.Despite political changes in the 19th century, the Napoleonic Code's
influence persisted. Land ownership became more stable, and private property rights were
reinforced.
Modern Land Administration (20th Century Onward):
Zoning and Urban Planning In the 20th century, France developed comprehensive zoning and
urban planning policies. These aimed to regulate land use, control urban sprawl, and ensure
sustainable development.
Land Reforms (Post-World War II):
Agrarian Reforms. After World War II, France implemented agrarian reforms to modernize
agriculture. This included land consolidation and measures to improve the efficiency of
agricultural land use.
Decentralization (Late 20th Century Onward):
Decentralized Governance. France has undergone processes of decentralization, empowering
local governments to play a significant role in land administration and planning.
European Union Influence (Late 20th Century Onward):
EU Policies. France's land administration has also been influenced by European Union (EU)
policies, particularly in areas such as environmental protection, land use planning, and
agricultural subsidies.

HISTORY OF LAND ADMINISTRATION IN RUSSIA

The history of land administration in Russia is complex and has undergone significant
transformations over the centuries. Here's a brief overview:

Tsarist Russia (Pre-1917):

Feudal System.Similar to many European countries, Tsarist Russia had a feudal system where
land was owned by the nobility and peasants worked the land in exchange for protection and a
share of the produce. Land Redistribution. Various tsars implemented land reforms at different
times, redistributing land to reward loyalty or gain support.
The Russian Revolution and Soviet Era (1917-1991):
Bolshevik Land Reforms.The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of the Soviet
government. One of the key measures was the Bolshevik land reforms of 1918, which abolished
private ownership of land, transferring it to the state.Collectivization. In the 1920s and 1930s, the
Soviet government pursued a policy of collectivization, where individual farms were
amalgamated into collective farms (kolkhozy) or state farms (sovkhozy). Land as State
Property.During the Soviet era, all land was considered state property, and individuals or entities
were granted land use rights rather than ownership rights.
Post-Soviet Period (1991 Onward):
Land Privatization.After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia embarked on a
process of land privatization. This involved the distribution of land use rights to individuals,
households, and entities. Agricultural Land Reforms. Agricultural land was a particular focus of
reforms, with the aim of creating a more market-oriented and efficient agricultural sector.Urban
Land Reforms. Urban land also underwent changes, with efforts to establish private property
rights and attract investment in real estate.
Land Code of the Russian Federation (2001):
Legal Framework. The Land Code of the Russian Federation, adopted in 2001, provides the
legal framework for land administration in contemporary Russia. It outlines the principles of land
ownership, land use, and land protection. Categories of Land. The Land Code classifies land into
categories, including agricultural land, forest land, water bodies, and urban land. Each category
has specific regulations governing its use.